Category: Millennial’s Corner

Did you know that 51% of all restaurants in metro Atlanta’s Gwinnett County are international? The county is a culinary hotspot for foodies seeking everything from Korean barbeque to Indian street food.

The qualities that have produced this vibrant food scene – ethnic diversity, strong population growth, a pro-business climate – also have contributed to Gwinnett County’s emergence as one of metro Atlanta’s most important business hubs.

As the chair of the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District (CID) board of directors, Ackerman & Co.’s Leo Wiener has first-hand experience working on a variety of initiatives aimed at boosting Gwinnett’s ability to attract business. He’s been pleased to witness Gwinnett’s ongoing economic growth – in particular, the county’s success recruiting company headquarters.

Leo, who is President of Ackerman Retail, is featured in a GeorgiaTrend magazine article focused on this very subject. The steady flow of HQ relocations to Gwinnett County in recent years has certainly been impressive and the article notes that this trend shows no sign of abating.

One of the biggest HQ announcements in the past year was Boehringer Ingelheim’s decision to move its North American animal health pharmaceutical headquarters from St. Joseph, Mo., to Duluth.

“Having a multi-billion dollar international company such as Boehringer Ingelheim locate their U.S. headquarters in Gwinnett, and specifically within the Gwinnett Place CID, demonstrates that the area’s strategic location, its strong infrastructure and talent assets are clear benefits to business enterprises as they consider site selection,” Leo told the magazine.

With major infrastructure improvements planned to accommodate additional economic development and mixed-use projects under way (including a redevelopment of Infinite Energy Center) that will enhance the county’s urban amenities, Gwinnett is clearly primed for more population growth and economic prosperity. As the GeorgiaTrend article summed up, these sorts of projects are “just the thing to attract employees needed to keep the jobs engine humming across this bigger-is-better county.”

The biggest decision I made after college was investing in a home. As a millennial, it was important to purchase a home in a thriving community with active residents who support local products and businesses.

One of the most popular locally made products among millennials is craft alcohol. Craft breweries and distilleries are highly sought after and are often regarded as gathering halls to meet friends and sample the latest blend.

Recently, Georgia’s Department of Revenue issued new regulations which allow breweries to sell facility tours at different price points based on the quality and quantity customers receive as “free souvenirs.” Allowing consumers to purchase alcohol brings new potential for increased revenue and brand recognition, which is a major game changer for the industry.

In the last 20 years, Georgia’s craft alcohol market has grown by 800 percent according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association. And the growth continues with 20 new breweries and distilleries expected to open in 2016. Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon to stay competitive. Established distilleries—such as Old Fourth Distillery, the first of its kind to open in Atlanta since Prohibition— are expanding to larger facilities, increasing the amount of liquor they can produce and sell.

All in all, it seems millennials won’t have any problem getting their hands on local craft alcohol; it might be just as easy as going to the farmer’s market.

About Ackerman & Co.

Ackerman & Co. is one of the top commercial real estate companies in the Southeast with more than 35 million square feet of office, medical, retail and mixed-used space developed, nearly 8 million square feet more under management, an investment portfolio valued at more than $1 billion and a widespread presence that leverages the experience of more than 100 real estate professionals.